Founded in 1998, VegaFina is a brand produced out of the famed Tabacalera de Garcia in the Dominican Republic. It is primarily distributed in Europe by Tabacalera S.L.U. group, which is a sister operation to Tabacalera USA, the group that owns the brands under Altadis U.S.A.. Even though some VegaFina releases have been sold in […]
Agile Cigar Review: 601 La Bomba Warhead VIII by Espinosa Cigars
William Cooper Agile Cigar Reviews, Reviews No Comments 601, 88-90, Agile Cigar Review, Assessment Update, Buy One, Espinosa
Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we […]
Cigar Review: Highclere Castle Senetjer (2022)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Foundation Cigar Company, Highclere Castle, Review, Try a Sample
At the 2022 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show, Highclere Castle would introduce its first limited-edition cigar, the Highclere Castle Senetjer. Highclere Castle is the brand in partnership between Foundation Cigar Company and George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon and the owner of the famed Highclere Castle Estate located in Hampshire, England. The name Senetjer […]
Cigar Review: AJ Fernandez New World Dorado Robusto
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, AJ Fernandez Cigars, Buy One, New World, Reviews
Back in 2014, AJ Fernandez Cigar Company launched what would become the company’s most successful brand, New World. The original intent of the brand was to pay homage to the days of exploration, in particular when the Europeans observed natives smoking tobacco. New World introduced a box-pressed Oscuro-wrapped offering at a very attractive $6.00 price […]
Cigar Review: Cuba Aliados by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Torpedo
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Cuba Aliados, Oliva, Review, Try a Sample
Back in 2021, Oliva Cigar Company shocked the cigar world by indicating it was acquiring three Honduran brands from the family of the late Rolando Reyes Sr.: Cuba Aliados, Puros Indios, and Roly. A year later, as the 2022 PCA Trade Show approached, Oliva would deliver another shocker. It announced that it would be turning […]
Cigar Review: Meerapfel Richard Double Robusto
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 91-93, Buy One, Meerapfel, Review
The Meerapfel family has over 150 years of experience in various aspects of the tobacco business. Today they are best known for being tobacco brokers and, in particular, are known for brokering tobacco out of Cameroon, Africa. In addition, the Meerapfels work with Arturo Fuente Cigar Company on its international distribution outside the U.S. In […]
Agile Cigar Review: Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20
William Cooper Agile Cigar Reviews, Reviews No Comments 85-87, Agile Cigar Review, Assessment Update, Joya de Nicaragua, Try a Sample
Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we […]
Cigar Review: Kristoff Guardrail Robusto
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 91-93, Box Worthy Consideration, Kristoff, Review
Many cigars that are released into the market have a story behind them. When it comes to the story behind the Kristoff Guardrail, this is a story like no other. Kristoff Guardrail debuted in 2022, but the story’s roots go back a couple of years beforehand. Kristoff owner Glen Case was in Oklahoma and had […]
Cigar Review: La Gloria Cubana Serie S Robusto Gordo
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, Altadis, Forged Cigar Company, La Gloria Cubana, Review, Tabacalera USA
There is quite a long history of the La Gloria Cubana brand. Folks who know me know I have an affinity for classic heritage brands, but in general, La Gloria Cubana always captures my interest. For starters, the non-Cuban version of this brand had roots in Little Havana, where it was a part of Ernesto […]
Cigar Review: Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf Gran Corona
William Cooper Reviews 1 Comment 88-90, Alec Bradley, Buy One, Forged Cigar Company, Review, Scandinavian Tobacco Group, STG
Back in 2019, Alec Bradley launched a series known as the Experimental Series, a series of cigars that would see the company “experiment” or work with tobaccos they have not worked with all that much. 2022 would see Alec Bradley introduce a line to the market known as the Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf. The name […]